Ketamine-assisted therapy has been growing in popularity as a potential treatment used to assist in the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. However, there are still many people who are unsure about what ketamine-assisted therapy is and how it differs from IV treatment models. In this blog post, our team at Blossom will explore the differences. Learn more and reach out to us to schedule an appointment in Austin today!
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy vs. Ketamine IV Only Models
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy vs. IV Treatment Models
What is IV Only Ketamine Model?
IV only Ketamine has been studied for the treatment of various conditions like depression. Even though there are other routes like sublingual or intranasal Ketamine that have been studied, the IV Ketamine model remains the most widespread. IV Ketamine is typically used without Psychotherapy. For some situations, this might be appropriate but our view is based on the studies which show that medicine alone usually has worse outcomes than the combination of medication and psychotherapy. IV Ketamine is the medicine alone without psychotherapy (which is the medicine of relationship, insight and discovery).
Dangers of IV Only Ketamine Model
IV Only Ketamine model is usually done with a sitter or without a sitter. Ketamine gives a unique opportunity to explore oneself. Not using psychotherapy with it, in our opinion wastes a valuable opportunity to change one's perspective and patterns of thinking. IV Ketamine only has resulted in injuring people since they were not ready for the dark journey that their self decided to embark on. We have seen people who have had a worsening in their mental health because of a lack of psychotherapy. Any substance without integration or psychotherapy can bypass emotions. It runs the danger of being similar to a night of drinking. Uncontrolled and used to escape from emotions rather than processing them.
What Is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy?
Ketamine-assisted therapy is done with a therapist/guide. Before Ketamine is used, the client and therapist/guide get to know each other. The aim of the beginning sessions is to foster a feeling of trust. Within that trusting space, a client gives word to intention, life story, journey, and motivations. Within that trusting space, a therapist/guide gets to know about where a person is in their journey and how best to support them. Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy is a delicate balance of the client directing the work and the therapist keeping focus on that work when distractions arise.
What Are the Benefits of Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy utilizes the biology of Ketamine with the relational aspects of psychotherapy to provide a chance for people to explore their unconscious. Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy is a model that tries to minimize the medical model. The settings are not like a typical clinic. The music is soothing. The lights are dim. It is more like the comfort of one's home, sitting in a comfortable recliner, where a person goes within. Set and setting are important themes that determine the lens through which a person will see the universe (including themselves).
Find Reliable, Effective Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Today
While ketamine IV-only treatments and ketamine-assisted therapy both involve the use of ketamine, there are several key differences between the two treatments. Our team at Blossom is here to help you determine which treatment may be right for you. Reach out to us today to learn more about ketamine-assisted therapy or to make an appointment with our team in Austin!